Adjustable tool-free ergonomic headrest for a desk chair

ABSTRACT

A removable and adjustable headrest capable of being manually installed without the assistance of a tool and which is adjustable about at least one axis is presented herein. The headrest includes a headrest frame, an adjustable clamping mechanism, an adjustable neck mechanism, a rocking arm assembly connected between the headrest frame and the adjustable neck mechanism, and at least one activation lever. The activation lever being connected to the headrest frame and being manually disposable between a normal position and an activated position. When the activation lever is held in the activated position, a gear assembly is disengaged, allowing the headrest to be manually tilted about an axis.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation patent application ofpreviously filed, currently pending patent application Ser. No.16/841,878 filed on Apr. 7, 2020 which is based on and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No.62/871,314, filed on Jul. 8, 2019.

The contents of both of the above-referenced prior applications, namely,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/841,878 filed on Apr. 7, 2020 andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/871,314, filed on Jul. 8,2019, are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a headrest for a chair,and more specifically to an adjustable and articulable headrest with anergonomic design and which is configured to provide tool-free attachmentto an existing chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of office or desk chairs, including, but in no way limited tothe AERON® chair offered by Herman Miller, Inc., often do not includeintegrated headrests. Although the chair, itself, may be functional andcomfortable to the user, the absence of a headrest can often be a sourceof discomfort or inconvenience for the user. This, of course, may causesome users to purchase a different, perhaps inferior chair, that mayinclude an integrated headrest.

Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a headrest assembly that canbe selectively attached to a chair. It would also be advantageous if theremovable headrest assembly is adjustable or otherwise movable in orderto accommodate users of different heights or different users that mayprefer the headrest to be positioned in different orientations.Accordingly, the proposed headrest may be adjustable about at least oneaxis, and in some cases, at least two horizontal axes, as well as avertical axis in order to provide a plurality of different operativeorientations to meet the preferences and desires of a wide range ofusers.

It would also be advantageous if the user were able to adjust theheadrest about the various axes, including the horizontal axes andvertical axis while seated in the chair. In other words, it is notdesirable to require the user to either request the assistance ofanother user for adjustment of the headrest to have to stand up, adjustthe headrest, then sit back down, only to realize that the headrest isstill not in the preferred orientation or position.

As another advantage, the proposed headrest assembly may be attached toand removed from the chair, and adjusted among the various axes, withoutthe assistance of any tools, such as a screw driver, Allen wrench, hexkey, etc. In this manner, the proposed headrest assembly can be easilyinstalled onto the chair, adjusted to the desired position, and removedfrom the chair all manually and without any tools or assistance fromadditional users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is generally directed to a manuallyadjustable headrest assembly that is easy to install and to adjustwithout the use of any tools or assistance from other users orindividuals. The headrest assembly of at least one embodiment of thepresent invention includes a headrest frame, an adjustable clampingmechanism for attachment to and removal from the chair, aheight-adjustable neck mechanism, a rocking arm assembly connectedbetween said headrest frame and said adjustable neck mechanism, and aleast one activation lever connected to said headrest frame in an easilyaccessible location while the user is seated.

In particular, the activation lever(s) is/are manually disposablebetween a normal position and an activated position. As an example, theactivated position of the activation lever of at least one embodimentmay be defined as the lever being manually pressed inward toward theheadrest frame. When the lever is activated, and held in the activatedstate or position, the headrest can be manually tilted or moved aboutone axis.

Some embodiments include a second activation lever, disposed coaxiallyfrom the first lever, and extending from an opposite side of the frame.When the second lever is activated, and held in the activated state orposition (in a similar manner in which the first lever can beactivated), the headrest can be manually tilted or moved about a secondand different axis. The first and second axes about which the headrestcan be tilted via manipulation of the first and second levers may, insome cases, be parallel to one another and substantially horizontallyaligned.

Furthermore, first and second gear assemblies may be disposed withincorresponding first and second housing elements which are connected tothe first and second activation levers, respectively. For example,depressing the first activation lever will manipulate the first gearassembly, or otherwise disengage the first gear assembly in a mannersuch that the headrest can be appropriately tilted or moved about thefirst axis. Similarly, depressing the second activation lever willmanipulate the second gear assembly, or otherwise disengage the secondgear assembly in a manner such that the headrest can be appropriatelytilted or moved about the second axis.

Other features of some embodiments of the present invention may includea height adjustable neck mechanism or assembly which can be manuallyadjusted by the user while seated, for example, by pulling a neckportion out of a corresponding base or housing. Doing so will cause theneck portion to successively be disposed into different predeterminedheight positions.

A clamping mechanism may also be provided which includes at least onemovable arcuate hook portion and at least one fixed arcuate hookportion. A corresponding lever may be pivoted in order to move themovable arcuate hook portion and engage a portion of the desk chair orother furniture.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent when the drawings as well as thedetailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of the headrest as disclosed inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present inventionattached to the upper frame edge of an exemplary chair.

FIG. 2A is a front right perspective view of the headrest without acovering attached to the upper frame edge of an exemplary chair with thefirst lever shown in partial phantom lines indicating movement.

FIG. 2B is a front right perspective view of the headrest illustrated inFIG. 2A tilted about a first axis into a position different than thatshown in FIG. 2A, as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is another front right perspective view of the headrestillustrated in FIG. 2A tilted about a first axis into a positiondifferent than that shown in FIG. 2A, as disclosed in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cut-away view of the first lever and the first gearassembly disposed in a locked or engaged condition as disclosed inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is another cut-away view of a portion of the first gear assemblydisposed in a locked or engaged condition as disclosed herein.

FIG. 3C is a cut-away view of the first lever and the first gearassembly disposed in an unlocked or disengaged condition as disclosed inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is another cut-away view of the first gear assembly disposed inan unlocked or disengaged condition as disclosed in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front left perspective view of the headrest without acovering attached to the upper frame edge of an exemplary chair with thesecond lever shown in partial phantom lines indicating movement.

FIG. 4B is a front left perspective view of the headrest illustrated inFIG. 4A tilted about a second axis into a position different than thatshown in FIG. 4A, as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is another front right perspective view of the headrestillustrated in FIG. 4A tilted about a second axis into a positiondifferent than that shown in FIG. 4A, as disclosed in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial internal and cut-away view of a portion of theheadrest of at least one embodiment illustrating the second gearassembly as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a cut-away view of the second gear assembly disposed in alocked or engaged condition as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is another cut-away view of a portion of the second gearassembly disposed in a locked or engaged condition as disclosed herein.

FIG. 6C is a cut-away view of the second gear assembly disposed in anunlocked or disengaged condition as disclosed in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6D is another cut-away view of the second gear assembly disposed inan unlocked or disengaged condition as disclosed in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front left perspective view of the headrest and a portion ofthe chair with the neck mechanism extended as disclosed in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a partial internal view of the neck mechanism disposed in alowermost position as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a partial internal view of the neck mechanism disposed in anext successive position as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8C is a partial internal view of the neck mechanism being disposedfrom the uppermost position back to the lowermost position as disclosedherein.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the clamping mechanism and optionalsupport bar as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9B is another perspective view of the clamping mechanism andoptional support bar as disclosed in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9C is a side view of the clamping mechanism and optional supportbar as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings provided herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the accompanying drawings, and with particular reference toFIG. 1, for example, the present invention is directed to a headrest,generally shown as 10, which can be easily attached and removed from achair without the use of any tools. More specifically, the headrest 10of at least one embodiment of the present invention may be manuallyclamped or otherwise secured to an upper portion or upper edge 2 of anexisting chair 1 without the need for additional tools, such as ascrewdriver, Allen wrench, hex key, star hex key, etc. An additionalbenefit of certain embodiments of the present invention also allows auser to manually adjust the headrest 10 about at least one axis, and insome cases, at least two substantially horizontal axes, while seated inthe chair 1, or otherwise, without having to stand up. For example,while seated, the user can easily reach with his or her hand(s) tomanually manipulate one or more levers 60, 62 adapted to activate and/ordeactivate one or more corresponding hinge mechanisms or gearassemblies.

As described herein, the lever(s) 60, 62 of at least one embodiment mayextend from the side(s) of the headrest 10 and toward the front of theheadrest 10 in a manner and position that is accessible by the userwhile the user is seated in the chair 1. This is advantageous because ifthe user were required to stand up in order to adjust the headrest 10about the one or more axes, it may be difficult to adjust the headrest10 into the desired orientation.

In addition, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, theheadrest 10 may be used or otherwise removably attachable to desk chairsand/or office chairs, including the AERON® chair offered by HermanMiller, Inc. Of course, the headrest 10 of at least one embodiment ofthe present invention may be used with or otherwise removably attachableto other chairs and other furniture in addition to or instead of theAERON® chair.

For example, the chair 1 may include a back portion 3 with an outer edge4. In many cases, the outer edge 4 may be rigid or substantially rigidand which surrounds a fabric or mesh back panel. In this manner, theouter edge 4 may provide structural support for the chair 1 and maydefine or include a lip to which the headrest 10 may be removablysecured.

More in particular, and with reference for example to FIG. 2A, at leastone embodiment of the headrest 10 of the present invention includes aframe 20 supported by a rocking arm assembly 30. The rocking armassembly 30 may be connected to or at least partially supported by aneck mechanism 70 and a clamping or attachment mechanism 40. As will bedescribed herein, the rocking arm assembly 30 of at least one embodimentincludes at least one hinge mechanism to provide adjustment of theheadrest 10. In a particular embodiment, the rocking arm assembly 30includes two hinge mechanisms, such as upper and lower hinge mechanisms50, 52, each activated or controlled via a different lever 60, 62. Forinstance, levers 60, 62 may be attached to or integrated with the frame20 and rocking arm assembly 30, as described and illustrated herein.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A, in at least one exemplary embodiment,the headrest 10 and/or headrest frame 20 may be generally in the shapeof a hyperbolic paraboloid, opening downward along an x-axis and upwardalong a y-axis to provide a shape that can comfortable receive the rearof the user's head. In certain cases, the frame 20 may comprise acontinuous solid surface, or, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, an outerframe 20 that tracks or defines the outer edge of the hyperbolicparaboloid with an open interior portion. As shown in FIG. 1, forexample, the open interior portion of the frame 20 may be covered or atleast partially covered, such as with fabric or mesh, which may matchthe material of the chair 1 for continuity and appeasing aesthetics. Thecover 11 may be made from a polymer material that is durable andrelatively lightweight.

Furthermore, in some cases, the interior portion of the frame 20 maycontain foam or other material that may enhance the comfort of the user.In some embodiments, the shape of the headrest frame 20, and optionalcover and/or filling, may be in a shape other than a hyperbolicparaboloid, such as, for example, a wedge, cylinder, or other shape thatmay be comfortable or appealing to the user.

Moreover, with reference to exemplary FIGS. 1 through 2C, the rockingarm assembly 30 of at least one embodiment provides a point ofconnection between frame 20 and neck mechanism 70. The neck mechanism 70is connected to the clamp 40, which provides the attachment to the chair1. More in particular, the rocking arm assembly 30 includes upperhousing element 36 connected to first and second support arms 32, 34 towhich the first and second levers 60, 62 are attached.

The rocking arm assembly 30 may further include a support 35 that isattached to or formed with the upper housing element 36, for example, ata top end, and a lower housing element 38 at a lower end. The support 35may take any number of shapes, configurations or forms, including forexample, a single, continuous solid element, multiple arms or supports,a single support with a space formed in the center, etc. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the support 35 isformed with an open center area that improves the aesthetics of theheadrest 10 and reduced the weight of the device, but still providesadequate support for the weight of the user.

The second or lower housing element 38 to which the support 35 isattached may provide a rotatable or pivotal connection to the neckmechanism 70.

In this manner, the upper and lower housing elements 36, 38 may be atleast partially hollow in order to house or contain respective hingemechanisms therein. The purpose of the cylindrical elements and hingesis to provide two-pint headrest rotation or movement about multipleaxes, including a first or upper axis A1 and a second or lower axis A2.

For example, FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an exemplary headrest 10being rotated or pivoted about first or upper axis A1, while FIGS. 4A,4B and 4C illustrate the exemplary headrest 10 being rotated about asecond or lower axis A2. In particular, a first lever 60 may be used ormanually manipulated to control or allow rotation of the headrest 10about axis A1, whereas a separate or second lever 62 may be used ormanually manipulated to control or allow rotation of the headrest aboutaxis A2. More specifically, lever 60 may be depressed to engage ordisengage a gearing mechanism 100 housed within upper housing element 36and lever 62 may be depressed to engage or disengage a gearing mechanism200 housed within lower housing element 38.

For example, depressing first lever 60 causes the first gearingmechanism or assembly 100 to go into an unlocked condition (therebyallowing rotation of the headrest 10 about first or upper axis A1,)while returning first lever 60 to its original or normal position (e.g.,by releasing the lever 60) causes the first gearing mechanism 100 toautomatically go into a locked condition (thereby preventing rotation ofthe headrest 10 about first or upper axis A1.) Similarly, depressing thesecond lever 62 will cause the second gearing mechanism 200 to go intoan unlocked condition (thereby allowing rotation of the headrest 10about second or lower axis A2), while releasing or returning the secondlever 62 to its original or normal position causes the second gearingmechanism to automatically go into a locked condition (therebypreventing rotation of the headrest 10 about the second or lower axisA2.)

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that variousmethods and mechanisms can be employed for lever-based control of therotation of the headrest 10. The drawings and description providedherein represent one such method. For example, FIGS. 3A through 3Drepresent one exemplary embodiment of the first gearing mechanism orassembly 100, whereas FIGS. 5 and 6A through 6D represent one exemplaryembodiment of the second gearing mechanism 200.

For example, with reference now to FIG. 3A, the first gearing mechanism100 of at least one embodiment includes a fixed gear 110 and a movablegear 120. Fixed gear 110 is secured on the inside of the housing 36 anddefines an interior or receiving area 115 within which movable gear 120is disposed. A lever rod 160 is attached to lever 60 and extends intohousing 36 and/or support arm 32. An attachment knob 165 attaches therod 160 to the movable gear 120. For example, rod 160 may pass through ahole or bore on the end of movable gear 120 wherein knob or enlargedhead 165 is secured to or integral with the rod 160 in a manner tosecure the rod to movable gear 120.

In at least one embodiment, interior portion 115 of the fixed gear 110may include a sloped or conical surface that tapers inward from an outerend 115A toward an inner end 115B. Movable gear 120 may include acorresponding sloped or tapered outer surface which mates with innersurface of the fixed gear 110.

Moreover, a spring or other biasing element 130 may be disposed a mannerto normally bias the movable gear 120 into a locked engagement with thefixed gear 110, as represented in FIG. 3A. For example, biasing element130 may normally press against the movable gear 120 on one end andagainst an interior housing surface or other surface at the other end tonormally engage the movable gear 120 and the fixed gear 110 together.

FIG. 3B represents a partial cut-away view along lines 3B-3B althoughshowing the entire circumference of the fixed and movable gears. Forinstance, FIG. 3A is a vertical cut- away along axis A1 of the fullyassembled headrest 10, whereas FIG. 3B is a cut-away along lines 3B-3Bof the fully assembled headrest, not along the cut away view of FIG. 3A.

In any event, FIG. 3B shows that inner surface of the fixed gear 110 ofat least one embodiment has a plurality of teeth or gears disposedthereon, and wherein the outer surface of movable gear 120 includescorresponding and mating teeth or gears thereon. Thus, when the lever 60is disposed in the normal, biased position, the movable gear 120 ispressed or mated against the fixed gear 110 such that the teeth or gearsdisposed thereon are engaged with one another, as shown in FIG. 3B, forexample.

When lever 60 is depressed, for example, by pressing inward on proximalend 60A, distal end 60B will move outward against the force of biasingelement 130. A pivot point (not shown) of the lever 60 is disposedbetween the proximal end 60A of the lever 60 and the point at which therod 160 is attached to the lever 60. As shown in FIG. 3C, this causesthe distal end 60B of the lever 60 to move outward from the housing orframe 20, and causes the rod 60 to pull the movable gear 120 away fromthe fixed gear 110 against the biasing force of spring or biasing member160. As shown in FIG. 3D, doing so also causes the teeth or gears of themovable gear 120 and fixed gear 110 to separate from one another. Thistherefore defines the unlocked or disengaged condition of the first gearmechanism or assembly 100. With the first gear mechanism or assemblydisposed in the unlocked or disengaged condition, e.g., while the usercontinuously holds the first lever 60 inward, the headrest 10 can bepivoted or rotated about axis A1, as generally exemplified in FIGS. 2A,2B and 2C.

More specifically, with the lever 60 depressed in a manner to disposethe first gear assembly 100 into the unlocked or disengaged condition,the user can manually rotate the frame 20 of the headrest 100 about theupper axis A1. Once the user releases the lever 60, the biasing element130 will force the movable gear 120 back into the engaged relation withthe fixed gear, thereby disposing the first gear assembly 100 back intothe locked or engaged condition and preventing any further rotationabout axis A1.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, the headrest 10 of at least oneembodiment is shown being rotatable or movable about second or loweraxis A2 via manual manipulation of second lever 62. As mentioned above,in at least one embodiment, depressing the second lever 62 will causethe second gearing mechanism 200 to go into an unlocked condition(thereby allowing rotation of the headrest 10 about second or lower axisA2), while releasing or returning the second lever 62 to its original ornormal position causes the second gearing mechanism to go into a lockedcondition (thereby preventing rotation of the headrest 10 about thesecond or lower axis A2.)

For example, with reference now to FIG. 5, the second gearing mechanism200 of at least one embodiment is substantially housed in lower housingelement 38 and connected to the second lever 62 via cable or elongatedelement 202. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second gearingmechanism or assembly 200 of at least one embodiment includes a fixedgear 210 and a movable gear 220. Fixed gear 210 of at least oneembodiment is secured on the inside of the housing 38 and defines aninterior or receiving area 215 within which movable gear 220 isdisposed. The cable 202 is attached to the movable gear 220, eitherdirectly or indirectly, such that movement of the cable 202 away fromthe fixed gear 210 causes movement of the movable gear 220 away from thefixed gear 210. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, for example, anenlarged attachment knob or head 265 attaches the cable 202 to themovable gear 220. For example, cable 202 may pass through a hole or boreon the end of movable gear 220 wherein knob or enlarged head 265 issecured to or integral with the the cable 202 in a manner to secure thecable 202 to movable gear 220. Other attachment mechanism arecontemplated within the full spirit and scope of the present invention.

In at least one embodiment, interior portion 215 of the fixed gear 210may include a sloped or conical surface that tapers inward from an outerend 215A toward an inner end 215B. Movable gear 220 may include acorresponding sloped or tapered outer surface which mates with innersurface of the fixed gear 210.

Moreover, a spring or other biasing element 230 may be disposed a mannerto normally bias the movable gear 220 into a locked engagement with thefixed gear 210, as represented in FIG. 6A. For example, biasing element230 may normally press against the movable gear 220 on one end andagainst an interior housing surface 250 at the other end to normallyengage the movable gear 220 and the fixed gear 210.

FIG. 6B represents a partial cut-away view lines 6B-6B although showingthe entire circumference of the fixed and movable gears. For instance,FIG. 6A is a vertical cut-away along axis A2 of the fully assembledheadrest 10, whereas FIG. 6B is a cut-away along lines 6B-6B of thefully assembled headrest, not along the cut away view of FIG. 6A.

In any event, FIG. 6B shows that inner surface of the fixed gear 210 ofat least one embodiment has a plurality of teeth or gears disposedthereon, and wherein the outer surface of movable gear 220 includescorresponding and mating teeth or gears thereon. Thus, when the lever 60is disposed in the normal, biased position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B), the movable gear 220 is pressed or mated against the fixed gear210 such that the teeth or gears disposed thereon are engaged with oneanother, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example.

When lever 62 is depressed, for example, by pressing inward on proximalend 62A, the cable 202 will be pulled outward along with the distal end62B of the lever against the force of biasing element 230. A pivot point(not shown) of the lever 62 is disposed between the proximal end 62A ofthe lever 62 and the point at which the cable 202 is attached to thelever 62. As shown in FIG. 6C, this causes the distal end 62B of thelever 62 to move outward from the housing or frame 20, and causes thecable 202 to pull the movable gear 220 away from the fixed gear 210. Asshown in FIG. 6D, doing so also causes the teeth or gears of the movablegear 220 and fixed gear 210 to separate from one another. This thereforedefines the unlocked or disengaged condition of the second gearmechanism or assembly 200. With the first gear mechanism or assemblydisposed in the unlocked or disengaged condition, the headrest 10 canpivot or rotate about axis A2, as generally exemplified in FIGS. 4A, 4Band 4C.

More specifically, with the lever 62 depressed in a manner to disposethe second gear assembly 200 into the unlocked or disengaged condition,the user can manually rotate the frame 20 of the headrest 10 about thesecond or lower axis A2. Once the user releases the lever 62, thebiasing element 230 will force the movable gear 220 back into theengaged relation with the fixed gear 210, thereby disposing the secondgear assembly 200 back into the locked or engaged condition andpreventing any further rotation about axis A2.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 8C, an exemplary neck mechanism 70 isshown. In particular, the neck mechanism 70 of at least one embodimentis structured and configured to raise and lower the headrest 10, forexample, along a vertical or y-axis, in order to adjust the height ofthe headrest 10. FIG. 7 illustrates the headrest 10 in a raised positionwith at least a portion 75 of the neck mechanism 70 exposed.

Internal to the neck mechanism 70 may be hardware or other componentsand mechanical elements that enable the neck mechanism 70 and headrestframe 20 to raise and lower in a vertical, at least partially verticalor substantially vertical orientation or direction. For example, in atleast one embodiment, the neck mechanism 70 may include a pin 310 thatengages a zig-zag element 320 formed in the neck housing 300 to enable auser to raise and lower the movable neck portion 75 to a series ofdifferent levels, after which the neck mechanism 70 resets and returnsthe headrest to a base portion or base position.

For instance, FIG. 8A shows the neck mechanism 70 in a base position atthe lowest level of articulation. In this manner, the pin element 310 isdisposed within the uppermost or top zig-zag opening or recess 320A ofthe zig-zag element 320. The user may manually pull or raise the movableneck portion 75 for example by pulling the neck portion 75 up and awayfrom housing 300. Doing so will cause the pin element 310 to pivot orslide out of the zig-zag opening or recess 320A and engage the nextsucceeding zig-zag opening, e.g., 320B, as shown in FIG. 8B. In thismanner, the user can successively pull or extend the neck portion 75 outof the housing 300 as the pin element 310 continues to engage the nextsucceeding recess in order starting at the uppermost recess 320A(defining the lowest neck height) and successively moving to levels320B, 320C, 320D and 320E. In this example, there are five predefinedlevels or heights defined by five successive recesses inheight-adjustment element 320. Other embodiments may include more orless levels. In addition, while element 320 is illustrated as include azig-zag patter in the exemplary embodiment, the element 320 of otherembodiments may have a different shape in order to accomplish orimplement a similar adjustment mechanism.

When the neck mechanism 70, and in particular, the neck portion 75thereof, reaches the maximum height, e.g., when the pin element 310 isin the lowermost recess, e.g., recess 320E in the example shown, as theuser attempts to extend the neck element 75 past the final recess 320E,the pin element 310 reorients into a channel 330 that resents the neckmechanism 70 to the base level. In other words, raising the neck portion75 past the maximum height will cause the pin element 310 to followchannel 330 along the opposite side of the adjustment element 320(opposite the recesses 320A-E) where the pin element 310 will againre-engage the uppermost recess 320A of the adjustment mechanism 320.

Still referring to FIGS. 8A through 8C, the pin element 310 may be atleast partially pivotally disposed within housing 300, for example, viaa pin mount 315. This allows the pin to move into and out of thedifferent positions described above, for example, into and out of therecesses 320-E, and about the backside of the adjustment element 320 inorder to reorient the neck portion 75 to the lowest height.

Furthermore, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the neckportion 75 cannot be pushed down into the housing to lower the neckmechanism 70. Rather, in order to lower the neck mechanism 70 of atleast one embodiment, the user may raise the neck portion 75 until thepin element resets, as described above. In this manner, the neck portion75 of at least one embodiment may only be manually pulled up and/or outof the housing 300 to raise the neck portion 75 and ultimately reset orlower the neck portion 75, as desired.

Other neck mechanisms configured to raise and/or lower the neck of theheadrest 10 are contemplated within the full spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, an exemplary clamping mechanism 40 isshown. In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 40 may be used toremovably secure the headrest 10 to a desk chair or other furniture foruse as described herein. For instance, the clamping mechanism 40 of atleast one embodiment may include a planar surface 442 that faces therear of the chair when in use. An upper arcuate hook portion 444 andlower arcuate hook portion 446 may be formed on or near the planarsurface and be configured to engage with the desk chair. In someembodiments, each of the upper arcuate hook portion 444 and lowerarcuate hook portion 446 include a curved, semi-cylindrical channel thatruns along with the width or a portion of the width of the clampingmechanism 40. A handle 448 may be rotatably or pivotally connected atthe outer edges of clamping mechanism 40 to various clamping hardwarestored inside the clamping mechanism 40. In some cases, the handle 448may be U-shaped and ergonomically configured to receive the hand of auser and to provide leverage sufficient to manually close the clamparound the chair or other furniture.

In particular, FIG. 9C shows a side view of an exemplary clampingmechanism 40 as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention. For instance, in at least one embodiment, one ofthe arcuate hook portions (e.g., one of the upper hook portions 444 andlower hook portions 446) is fixed, and the other one is movable. In theembodiment shown, the upper hook portion 44 is fixed and the lower hookportion 446 is movable via manipulation of handle 448. For example, toclose the clamping mechanism 40, a user may engage the fixed arcuatehook portion with a first chair surface (e.g., the upper edge of thechair back.). The user may then turn, pivot or rotate the handle portion448 into a closed position causing the clamping hardware to pull themovable arcuate hook portion toward the fixed portion, causing the clampto close or clamp shut.

For instance, handle 448 may swing upward and downward as shown viaarrow 449 in FIG. 9A. Pivoting or swinging the handle 448 upward andoutward will open the clamping mechanism, e.g., by moving lower hook 446away from upper hook 444. Similarly, pivoting or swinging the handle 448downward and inward will cause the hooks 444, 446 to remain in place,thereby engaging the chair.

The configuration of the handle 448, upper arcuate hook portion 244 andlower arcuate hook portions., and internal hardware provide a firmconnection between the headrest 10 and the chair 1 without tools of anykind, simplifying the installation and removal of the device. Further,the lack of a screw-in assembly obviates the risk that the device willloosen over time or abruptly fall off the chair, potentially damagingthe device or injuring the user.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, both or one of the arcuatehook portions 444, 446 may be lined or coated with a material thatenhances the frictional contact between the headrest 10 and the chair 1or other furniture to produce a more secure fit therebetween.

Removal of the clamping mechanism 40 from the chair 1 involves releasingthe handle portion 448, for example, by raising or pivoting/rotating thehandle upwards, which will move the movable arcuate hook portion awayfrom the fixed arcuate hook portion, allowing the clamping mechanism 40,and therefore the headrest 10, to be removed from the chair 1 or otherfurniture, again without any tools.

In some embodiments, and still referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, alateral or auxiliary support element 80, such as a support hanger, maybe installed, for example, on the rear of the device 10 to providesupport for the user's personal items, such as a jacket, shirt, scarf,hat, purse, bag, etc. In this manner, the lateral or auxiliary supportelement 80 may function much like a coat or clothes hanger in that itcan support various personal or clothing items hung therefrom.

In some embodiments, the removable attachment of the support element 80may be accomplished by a spring-loaded push button engagement withcorresponding holes or slots 410 on the rear of the device 10. Forexample, the rear of the device or headrest 10 may include one or moreslots or holes 410, such as on or extending at least partially within,the rear of the housing 300, as shown in FIG. 9B. In this manner, thesupport element 80 may include one or more corresponding knobs,extensions or attachment pieces 412 which correspondingly fit at leastpartially within the slots or holes 410 disposed on or extending atleast partially within the housing 300. One or more spring loadedpieces, grooves, knobs, channels, clips, etc. may be incorporated withinthe housing 300 and/or on the knob(s) 412 in order to enhance or furtherfacilitate the attachment between the support element 80 and the deviceor headrest 10.

In some cases, the knobs or extensions 412 may frictionally fit withinthe corresponding holes 410 such that a user can easily insert attachand remove the hanger or auxiliary support element 80 to and from theheadrest 10.

In further embodiments, one or more fasteners 415 may be used to securethe support element 80 to the housing 300 or headrest 10. In thismanner, one or more corresponding holes 413 may extend at leastpartially, or in some cases completely, through the support element 80and align with mounting holes 411 disposed on or at least partiallywithin housing 300. Fastener(s) 415 may thus extend through the supportelement 80 and at least partially into the housing 300 via holes 413,411. In some embodiments, fastener(s) 415 and holes 411 may includecorresponding threaded components such that fastener(s) 415 may screwinto hole(s) 411 in order to removably fix or secure the support element80 to the housing 300 or headrest 10.

Accordingly, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9B, fasteners415 may be in the form of or otherwise include hand screws which can beeasily tightened and/or released (e.g., screwed and unscrewed) with auser's hands. This allows the support element 80 to be attached andremoved from the housing 300 or headrest 10 without the use of a tool,such as a screw driver, hex key, Allen wrench, etc. Other embodimentsmay use butterfly screw, wing bolt, or other like fastener.

Although FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate the support element 80 asincluding extensions 412 and fasteners 415 (and corresponding holes413), it should be noted that other embodiments may use or incorporateonly the extensions 412 (and not the fastener(s) 415), whereas yet otherembodiments may use or incorporate only the fasteners 415 and holes 413(and not the extensions 412).

In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that the support element80 is affixed to the headrest 10 or housing 300 in a manner such that itis not intended to be removable therefrom or otherwise not manuallyremovably without out the use of tools. Accordingly, in some cases, thesupport element 80 may be integral with or affixed to the housing 300 orheadrest 10 with adhesives, screws, bolts, etc.

In any event, when the auxiliary support element 80 is attached to theheadrest 10 or housing 300, as shown in FIG. 9C, for example, theauxiliary support element 80 defines or otherwise includes an elongatedelement that, in many cases, extends beyond the sides of the headrest 10and which can support personal items being hung or draped thereon muchlike a clothes hanger. As shown, the support element 80 may include agenerally horizontal hanger which may include a slight downward curve orcontour extending from the center and curving slightly downward towardthe two opposite extremity ends. Other shapes and configurations arecontemplated within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

Thus, the foregoing discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure for clarity. As will be understood by those skilledin the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristicsthereof and aspects of the exemplary embodiments described herein may becombined differently to form additional embodiments or omitted.Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to beillustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well asother claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variantsof the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoingclaim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated tothe public.

Unless stated otherwise, all scientific and technical terms used hereinhave the meaning commonly used ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains. In the event of any kind whatsoever, controversy haspriority the present application and definitions contained therein. Inaddition, the use of the terms in the singular include the plural, andthe use of the plural includes the singular except where the contextrequires otherwise. All mentioned herein publications, patents, andother materials are incorporated herein in their entirety and for allpossible purposes by reference.

As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,”“including,” “having,” “having,” and any other of their shape, are meantto include the object, but does not mean exclusion of any other objector a group of objects. For example, a method, article, or apparatuscomprising a set of elements is not necessarily limited to thoseelements and may include other elements not specified explicitly ortypical for such composition, mixture, process, method, article ordevice. Moreover, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term “or”includes but not exclusive “or.”

As used herein, the terms “consisting of” and “consisting of” and theirother forms used in the specification and claims, indicate the inclusionof an object or group of objects and the inability to add to thedescribed method, the structure, the structure or composition of anywhatsoever another object or group of objects.

As used herein, the term “consist essentially of” and “consistingessentially of” and their other forms used in the specification andclaims, indicate the inclusion of any objects or groups of objects andthe inclusion of any other objects or groups of objects that are notlead to a substantial change in the basic or novel properties of thedescribed method, structure, design or composition.

Also, the indefinite articles preceding the name of an element of thepresent invention is not intended to limit the size, i.e., amount inwhich the element is present, or uses. Accordingly, the indefinitearticle should be interpreted as an indication of the presence of one orat least one object, using the name of the corresponding element in thesingular also includes the plural except where the context obviouslyimplies the singular.

The term “invention,” “present invention,” or “the present invention” asused herein is not limiting and encompasses all embodiments describedherein, but does not refer to any single embodiment of the invention.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention. This written description provides an illustrative explanationand/or account of the present invention. It may be possible to deliverequivalent benefits using variations of the specific embodiments,without departing from the inventive concept. This description and thesedrawings, therefore, are to be regarded as illustrative and notrestrictive.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable and adjustable headrest capable of being manually installed without the assistance of a tool, said removable and adjustable headrest comprising: a headrest frame, an adjustable clamping mechanism, an adjustable neck mechanism, a rocking arm assembly connected between said headrest frame and said adjustable neck mechanism, at least one activation lever connected to said headrest frame, said at least one activation lever being manually disposable between a normal position and an activated position, and at least one gear assembly connected to said at least one activation lever, said at least one gear assembly being disposable between a normal locked condition and an unlocked condition, said gear assembly being disposed in said normal locked condition when said at least one activation lever is disposed in said normal position, said at least one gear assembly being disposed in said unlocked condition when said at least one activation lever is disposed in said activated position.
 2. The headrest as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one gear assembly provides adjustment of said headrest about at least one axis.
 3. The headrest as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one activation lever comprises a first activation lever and a second activation lever, and wherein said at least one gear assembly comprises a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly.
 4. The headrest as recited in claim 3 wherein said first activation lever is configured to activate said first gear assembly and said second activation lever is configured to activate said second gear assembly.
 5. The headrest as recited in claim 4 wherein said first gear assembly allows adjustment of said headrest about a first axis and said second gear assembly allows adjustment of said headrest about a second axis.
 6. The headrest as recited in claim 5 wherein said first axis and said second axis a at least substantially parallel horizontal axes spaced from one another.
 7. The headrest as recited in claim 5 wherein said first axis is an upper axis and said second axis is a lower axis.
 8. The headrest as recited in claim 5 wherein said first activation lever and said second activation lever are attached to said headrest frame.
 9. The headrest as recited in claim 8 wherein said first activation lever extends outward from a first side of the headrest frame and toward a front face of said headrest, and wherein said second activation lever extends outward from a second side of the headrest frame toward said front face of said headrest, said first side of said headrest being opposite said second side of said headrest.
 10. The headrest as recited in claim 9 wherein said first activation lever and said second activation lever are accessible to a user properly seated in a chair to which the headrest is attached.
 11. The headrest as recited in claim 9 wherein said first axis is defined as an upper axis and said second axis is defined as a lower axis, wherein said first activation lever and said second activation lever are at least partially disposed along said upper axis.
 12. The headrest as recited in claim 11 wherein said first gear assembly is at least substantially disposed within a first housing element disposed along said upper axis.
 13. The headrest as recited in claim 12 wherein said second gear assembly is at least substantially disposed within a second housing element disposed along said lower axis.
 14. The headrest as recited in claim 13 wherein said first gear assembly is disposed into said unlocked position via manual manipulation of said first lever disposing a first movable gear element out of engagement with a first fixed gear element.
 15. The headrest as recited in claim 14 wherein said second gear assembly is disposed into said unlocked position via manual manipulation of said second lever disposing a second movable gear element out of engagement with a second fixed gear element.
 16. The headrest as recited in claim 15 wherein said second activation lever is connected to said second gear assembly via a cable connected to and extending from said second activation lever.
 17. The headrest as recited in claim 1 further comprising an auxiliary support element attached to a rear portion of said headrest and extending laterally to define a hanger upon which a personal item can hang.
 18. The headrest as recited in claim 17 wherein said auxiliary support element is removably attached to said headrest.
 19. The headrest as recited in claim 18 wherein said auxiliary support element comprises at least one attachment knob and said headrest comprises at least one corresponding hole disposed on said rear portion, said at least one attachment knob being removably engaged within said at least one corresponding hole when said auxiliary support element is attached to said headrest.
 20. A removable and adjustable headrest assembly, said removable and adjustable headrest assembly comprising: a headrest frame, an adjustable clamping mechanism, a housing, a rocking arm assembly connected between said headrest frame and said housing, a first activation lever manually disposable between a normal position and an activated position, a second activation lever manually disposable between a normal position and an activated position, a first gear assembly connected to said first activation lever, said first gear assembly being disposable between a normal locked condition and an unlocked condition, said first gear assembly being disposed in said normal locked condition when said first activation lever is disposed in said normal position, said first gear assembly being disposed in said unlocked condition when said first activation lever is manually depressed into said activated position, a second gear assembly connected to said second activation lever, said second gear assembly being disposable between a normal locked condition and an unlocked condition, said second gear assembly being disposed in said normal locked condition when said second activation lever is disposed in said normal position, said second gear assembly being disposed in said unlocked condition when said second activation lever is manually depressed into said activated position, and an auxiliary support element removably attached to a rear portion of said housing, said auxiliary support elements extending in a substantially lateral direction relative to said housing to define a hanger upon which at least one personal item can hang. 